Dear Reverend,
I was never a morning person — until I turned 50. I’d love to be able to sleep in sometimes, but no matter what I do, I’m up before the sun rises. I enjoy getting things done in the morning, but my husband is the complete opposite. He’ll hit the snooze button a dozen times if he can, and he gets grumpy if my puttering around wakes him up. How do we reconcile this?
Early Bird, (woman, 52)
Dear Early Bird,
Everyone’s internal clock is different, but it’s extremely common for people to wake up earlier as they get older. Studies suggest that, starting in midlife, the average amount of time a person sleeps decreases by 30 minutes every 10 years. There are many reasons for this, including hormonal, physical and lifestyle changes.
Adjusting your circadian rhythm is no easy task, especially if it’s only now and then. When you know you want to try to sleep longer in the morning, stay up later the night before. Instead of winding down after dinner, go for a walk. Keep the lights bright longer than usual. Basically, stay active until it’s time to hit the sheets.
This article appears in June 17 • 2026.
